[LuLou]

Smile, you're on cabin camera

April 21, 2002|By Dennis Blank, New York Times News Service.
James Pink, a Rochester business executive who frequently flies on JetBlue Airways, says he has no problem with being observed by hidden cameras.
"The safer they make the planes," Pink said, "the better it will be."
JetBlue is the first airline to install cameras in a passenger cabin, and most other American airlines are expected to follow.


"The cabin camera surveillance system is the logical next step to protect our customers and crew," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's chief executive.
The hidden cameras will allow pilots to watch passengers on two cockpit screens. "If there was a disturbance back there, they would be able to monitor the situation and land as soon as possible," said Capt. Lanny McAndrew, chief pilot for JetBlue.
But Mitch Dresner, a New York business executive who is also a frequent flier, says camera surveillance is not worth the intrusion. "I don't think it will make a difference," Dresner said. "The pilots have enough to do. It won't stop anybody from getting on the aircraft."
Putting cameras on board aircraft was a recommendation of a committee of airline industry executives and government officials after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Though there is no legal requirement to do so, 19 other airlines have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to introduce the surveillance equipment on domestic and international flights. The FAA refused to say which airlines had applied.
While agreeing that surveillance cameras may provide added security, critics want assurances that passenger privacy will be protected.
"We do have privacy concerns," said Barry Steinhardt, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "This is an example of where technology is in the Space Age, but the law that protects privacy is back in the Stone Age. This may well be an appropriate role, but we don't know if it will be abused in the future."
Under pressure to put security measures in place as quickly as possible, the airlines are rushing to put cameras or other alarm devices on board. JetBlue was the first to get official permission from the FAA; it has installed cameras in one plane and plans to add them to the rest of its fleet in the next three months.
Delta Air Lines received FAA approval in October to test security cameras on a jetliner. "We are currently evaluating the results of that test," Katherine Stengel, a spokeswoman for Delta said this month. "We are looking at different products to enhance security on our aircraft."

This is an article from 8+ YRS Ago. All planes have had cameras since 03', if American can load camera's on their entire fleet in 3 months, all planes WILL Have camera's installed when mfg.
They, AirTran's only defense is that they are reviewing the films to say it never happened. I have witnesses that saw it happen and that will be enough to pursue this.
Look at how fast they put up ALL the "Red Light Camera's?" You think a homicide happens at that intersection, they can't play back the whole 3 minutes to view the scene and get all the facts even though they just supposedly take still shots, c'mon big brother's HERE TO Stay.....
Thanks for your reply though!!